Advice

Expert advice to help you get the most out of stargazing, from DIY projects to practical astronomy tips.

Best things to see in the night sky during summer

What to see in the night sky this summer

improve sky backgrounds astrophotography final image

Astrophotography guides

Image processing How to improve sky backgrounds

A star chart showing the location of star Aldebaran in Taurus

How to see star Aldebaran, the fiery eye of the Bull

bootes constellation chart

A guide to the constellation Boötes

stargazing brings us together

Gazing at the Universe is a treasure that brings us all together

The 16 May lunar eclipse captued by Tomáš Slovinský, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.

Total lunar eclipse, 16 May 2022

Albedo features on Mars. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Get ready for Mars at opposition in December 2022

Make the most of Mars at opposition in 2020. Find out how to see Mars tonight. Credit:Pete Lawrence

Observing guide How to see Mars in the night sky

Star Bellatrix in Orion

A guide to star Bellatrix

Vega by Jamie Bowring, Devon, UK. Equipment: SW 150p, Canon 30D

A guide to star Vega

star altair

A guide to star Altair

Vega and the surrounding stars through a telescope. Taken with a guided setup, the vista appears sharp, with stars like pins. Credit: Ade Ashford.

A guide to telescope autoguiders

Celestron Omni XLT AZ 102 Refractor/basic mount

Best beginners' telescopes

How to navigate the sky using the celestial sphere. Credit: mikroman6 / Getty Images

How to navigate the night sky like an astronomer

From the centre of the UK, Porrima is occulted at 05:52 UT on 19 March as the sky is brightening due to the approach of dawn. Credit: Pete Lawrence

See a lunar occultation of Porrima, 13 May 2022